Cedar sage is a colorful member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to Texas and adjacent northeastern Mexico. It gets its common name from its habit of growing under and around cedar trees ( Juniperus spp.). The species epithet honors Ferdinand von Roemer (1818–1891), a German-born geologist whose studies of Texas geology earned him the nickname “Father of Texas Geology.” Cedar sage is a short-lived herbaceous perennial that blooms the first year from seed. It is often grown as an annual. It is unfussy about soil texture, pH or fertility. It blooms best in full sun or partial shade. Once established, it is tolerant of occasional droughts. This species is an excellent early blooming plant for hummingbirds, and even after the first flush of flowers in early spring, it continues to produce sporadic flowers all summer. Cedar sage also produces cleistogamous flowers, which are flower buds that never open, nevertheless, they produce fertile seeds. Cedar sage can spread rapidly by seeds, but the seedlings are easily spotted and removed or allowed to grow and fill the space. Cedar sage seeds are eagerly consumed by goldfinches, which help prevent this plant from spreading too rampantly. Cedar sage was much admired by the famous Irish-born gardener and writer William Robinson, who advocated for this plant for the front of the herbaceous border. Use cedar sage in a pollinator garden, cottage garden, or rock garden. It would also work in a children’s garden or fairy garden. It attracts hummingbirds and self-seeds. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Salvia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf feel
Papery; Rough
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are simple, 3 to 5 inches long and almost as wide, with coarsely dentate margins and rounded tips.
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Lipped; Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers are borne above the foliage in erect spikes. Each flower is just over 1 inch long and is bright red. The flowers produce plentiful nectar and are visited by hummingbirds.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Nut; Schizocarp
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruits are four schizocarpic nutlets, which are held within the dried calyx.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Texas & adjacent Mexico
Wildlife value
The flowers are hummingbird magnets. Seed-eating birds, like goldfinches, are attracted to the fruits.